Your Big Lie (truth about you)

Yesterday was a tough day for me. We’re hiring a Director of Marketing at Early To Rise, and we had several fantastic candidates to interview.

As an introvert, the 2-hour interview process seemed daunting. The anxiety knotted my stomach and I was dreading the day.

But then it was Bedros to the rescue.

He sent me this email that got my mind right.

It will do the same for you.

Here’s to a GREAT 2016 because of your Greatness.

Sincerely,

Craig

***

The Truth About Your Greatness

By Bedros

The biggest lie that we tell ourselves is that we’re okay just the way we are. I believe that we come into this world with only survival skills and the desire to become great. It takes grit and really hard work to become the greatest version of yourself.

Truthfully, most don’t have the stomach for it. But for those who do, I want to share with you what I’ve discovered about greatness, personal and professional growth up to this point in my life.

Recently I was asked to present at two events in the month of March… one in Toronto and the other in NYC. The thing I chose to present at these two events is the topic of greatness. The idea of becoming your best self… operating at the highest level possible both personally and professionally.

In psycho babble it’s called “peak performance” or “self actualization.” I’ll just call it greatness.

Today is December 15th. We’re only 10 days away from Christmas and 24 days away from the new year.

A NEW year… clean slate, fresh start, and a new and better you.

Your inner voice has gotten louder lately and the self talk loop keeps reminding and encouraging you that 2016 is going to be your best year ever – personally and professionally.

This is the year where you step into your greatness! You become your best self! You make more money, have better health, develop a stronger mind, and build more meaningful relationships with the people who matter most in your life.

2016 is yours!

Now here’s what I know to be true about this topic…

You can’t just step into greatness like a pair of pants when the clock strikes midnight on the 31st.

It doesn’t work that way.

And in this day of Facebook, twitter, and Instagram where immediate satisfaction and instant approval is the expectation, you’re going to be massively disappointed when greatness doesn’t instantly happen to you.

But if you’re willing to put in the work and give it time under tension then I can guarantee you that greatness will be yours and the uncertainty, the ups and downs, and the chaos of life will fade away and become a thing of the past.

See, just like developing a muscle, greatness is something that’s got to be trained and used often, in high repetition, and over a long period of time to fully develop. That’s the only way you can become your best self as an entrepreneur and as an individual…

…otherwise you’re simply living a life of indifference and survival and that’s a wasted life in my opinion.

Sure you can “act as if” and go through the motions of greatness when the clock strikes midnight on the 31st, but that kind of greatness is only temporary. It typically crumbles at the first sign of adversity and temptation and you quickly revert back to your old ways.

So what is greatness and how do you build it within?

Greatness is having the discipline to wake up and do the work, even on your worst days.

Greatness is putting others ahead of yourself.

Greatness is doing what’s right even when no one is looking.

Greatness is holding yourself to higher standards and expectations.

Greatness is setting daily habits and rituals that lead to better health.

Greatness is choosing to be an optimist even in the face of adversity.

Greatness is taking responsibility for exactly where you are in life.

Greatness is being someone that others can count on.

Greatness is you choosing to do more than just the bare minimum.

Greatness is you leading from the front.

Greatness is when you master your emotions, fears, and frustrations.

Greatness is living in urgency knowing that you only have a finite time to share your gift with the world.

Greatness is knowing that challenges will come and that you have all you need to overcome them.

Greatness is being confident, decisive, and definitive in your actions.

Greatness is paying it forward.

And so how do you develop your GREATNESS muscle?

Create healthy habits and practice them daily.

Be disciplined.

Pick and choose the people and the thoughts that you allow into your life.

You’re meant to lead, succeed, triumph, and to help others – that’s why we’ve been brought together in our Mastermind family.

I believe in you!

B

*****

Thanks so much, B.

That’s why I consider Bedros one of my best friends and greatest mentors.

Craig Ballantyne is the author of The Perfect Day Formula: How to Own the Day and Control Your Life. Craig has been a contributor to Men's Health magazine for over 17 years. Today he teaches his gift high-performing entrepreneurs how to squeeze more out of their days, increase their income, and make more quality time for their families in his Perfect Life Workshop and Work-Life Mastery programs. Craig used his own advice to overcome crippling anxiety attacks in 2006, and he'll teach you his 5 Pillars of Success so you can increase your income, decrease your work time, and live the life of your dreams. Learn more about Craig at craigballantyne.com

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